Qld budget get mixed response in Townsville

Community and business leaders in Townsville in north Queensland have given a mixed assessment of this year's state budget.

There were no big surprises when Treasurer Tim Nicholls handed down his second budget yesterday.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill says while she is seeking more information, it appears there is nothing new for north Queensland.

"Some of the funding in here is just a repeat of funding we saw in last year's budget," she said.

The Townsville Chamber of Commerce has described the budget as responsible.

President Dawson Wilkie says there is now more certainty about public service jobs.

"That's always good because at least we know what sort of level of expenditure we've got happening around the community," he said.

The budget has also given Townsville Enterprise a boost with an extra $100,000 in funding.

However, the Deputy Mayor of the Flinders Shire, Ninian Stewart-Moore, says he is concerned about about road funding in the budget.

"In fact, our mayor and CEO are heading to Normanton at the moment for a regional road meeting for our region and there may be more detail that comes out of there as to what funding is available over the next two to three years," he said.

Meanwhile,Townsville MP John Hathaway says Mr Nicholls has done a good job balancing the books, while keeping the Government's election promises.

Nearly $16 million has been promised to continue expanding the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville.

Mr Hathaway says the Government has also given more than $16 million to reseal Hervey's Range Road.

"There's still commitments of funding that's going into the Bruce Highway, there's the perennial chestnut of Blakeys Crossing, that's going to be completed," he said.

"We've been pretty honest with the public of Townsville and north Queensland - we're still continuing to deliver on our promises while maintaining a very prudent budget."

More than $89 million has been allocated to continue the Townsville Hospital's redevelopment in partnership with the Federal Government and $1 million has also been promised for the tender to set up a youth boot camp in the city.

"As part of that, we fought doggedly for the paediatric intensive care unit [PICU] and that growth and expansion of the PICU is continuing, we're talking about getting tough on law and [order]," Mr Hathaway said.